Calhoun Homespun Tea a Success

About 110 women attend the Homespun Tea at the Calhoun (GA) Church on Sept. 22. The theme was “When you can’t see His hand, trust His heart.”

The filled fellowship hall found ladies in their finery, yet maintained a homespun atmosphere provided by quilts from various decades. One quilt in particular was an heirloom from the American Civil War period, a plain quilt of a muslin-type fabric, unlike the fancy work of later-day quilts.

“A tea provides women an atmosphere for unhurried conversation, a time for making memories, and sharing in a peaceful, serene, feminine environment,” said Carole Huddleston, director of the church’s women’s ministry. “Ladies should feel comfortable dressed up in all their tea "finery," or in just a simple garment. The objective is to enjoy the time by visiting with one another, sampling delightful dainty treats, and just relaxing. The goal is to bring ladies of the community into common ground: a tea together with prayer and fellowship.”

Glenda Hayward, coordinator for the tea, said the idea to host a tea for the ladies in the community started at the beginning of this year.

“In January, when the pastor of Trinity Baptist Church passed away, we wanted to reach out to the women of their church. But the tornado hit, and we had to take care of the more practical needs of the community,” Hayward said.

However, the idea stayed with the planning committee, and the women decided to host the tea at a later date and to invite the community women to attend “to enlarge the circle of Jesus.”

To make the occasion extra special, the planners invited author Ruthie Jacobsen, a resident of north Georgia and coordinator for the North American Division’s Prayer Ministries Department. Jacobsen is also a former talk show host for 3ABN TV and is known for her prayer conferences across the United States and in several foreign countries.